Greenies Too vs. JJ’s.  Jimmy Powell Oval.  Saturday May 10^th.

Greenies Toos went down with a decidedly sub-par performance against a JJ’s side who had until Saturday yet to win a game all season. With a few exceptions, notably Dave Rajaratnam’s contribution with the bat, and a great opening spell from Hugh (sadly not backed up by the field), we played like a team who didn’t really care.  The majority of our batsmen got starts, but only Dave went on to convert it into a significant score.  Out fielding effort was woeful, spilling 10 catches and being generally very untidy.  The game was also marred by an umpiring decision so bad that a formal letter of complaint will be sent out to the CICA.  But more of this later.

The day started out well enough, after losing the toss on a stinking hot day, the JJ’s skipper decided very generously to stick us in. Simon was in no mood to hang about after being asked to open with Tex, slapping a big four over long on 2^nd ball, and then losing his bails a few balls later with an attempted heave to midwicket to a straight ball.  Alex and Tex batted well to consolidate the early loss, both scoring in the teens before departing, but seeing off the new ball(s).  Hugh also started brightly and was looking in good form before being given LBW just as the pie throwers were warming up, much to his annoyance.  Dogga and Dave, who was picking up a bat for the first time this season, then tucked in to the bowling buffet on offer, scoring heavily and putting on a hundred partnership before the 30^th over drinks break.  Which is where things started to go a bit pear-shaped.

At the drinks break the umpires told me that they were docking us an over for handing in the team sheet late – slightly curious as I wasn’t aware of that particular rule, and surely this should have been communicated to us at the start of the innings.  After phoning Ivan for clarification (there is no such rule), I went out to discuss with the umpire, who did not take to kindly to this, changing his argument that we started late, and it was our fault.  When Dogga was bowled for a very good 39, I was in next against an umpire with a very itchy finger.  Having almost evaded the fine bottle, I was run out for 9.  The bat was almost past the stumps when the bails were taken off. Next in Clay, with a much anticipated first knock of the season.  Working well with Dave, and after scoring the first four of his career, he was bowled next ball.  Dave eventually holed out for a great knock of 66 off 60 balls, and small cameos by Chris and Dave left us with what looked like a very defendable 221 for 8 off 39 overs.

Hugh and Chris started the bowling, and signs of things to come came in the second over when a low slip catch was dropped off the luckless Hugh. The JJ’s number one was in aggressive form, and looking to hit out at every opportunity.  While chances came, they were pretty much all dropped, and the JJ’s one and three batsmen were allowed to compile a big partnership, helped by some pretty average bowling and some very sloppy fielding.  Our heads were down, and we knew it would take something big to reverse things.  Dave McGrath, extracting some turn and tempting the batsmen to hit out, got their form player to sky a big shot to cow corner, where I ran back to take the catch, 2 meters in from the boundary.  For some reason however, the umpire called the batsman back, and called a 6.  This sparked off some very angry scenes, and I can honestly say that I have never been so flabbergasted at a decision.  By way of explanation, the umpires claimed not to have been able to see the boundary line, so they though I probably caught it over the rope.  As captain of the Greenies, to have my integrity questioned in such a manner is about as offensive as it can get, and this is where the complaint will be raised.

Anyway, after this things started to spiral for a couple of overs, until some sharp words from Dave McGrath brought back some much needed focus.  We dislodged their main threats, with Dave taking  3 good wickets, and got into a very long tail. Unfortunately too late, as the damage was already done, and JJ’s took the game with a few overs to spare.

The fine session could have gone on all night but unfortunately we only brought one bottle. 

MOTM - Dave Rajaratnam for his knock. 
POTD - Me for taking a great catch on the boundary, only for it to be called a 6
COTD - Me for numerous reasons, including handing in the team sheet late, running myself out for 9 and walking over the boundary rope after taking a great catch.

A tough day all round.